This one’s for my Dad.

I’ve always been a peanut butter and jelly kind of girl. Pb&j was standard in packed school lunches, as an easy hiking snack on the trail, or perhaps as a late night bite? What isn’t there to like about one of the most classic combinations since, well…forever?

My pb&j sandwich was oh so simple: white bread, fruit jam, and a spoonful of creamy smooth peanut butter. That baby was delicious and perfect with no need for reinterpretation. A classic. Timeless. Why mess with a good thing? Yet, I have messed with a good thing.

At the ripe young age of 12, something so earth shattering, so revolutionary, so unexplainably crazy happened…and little did I know at the time, but it would change my outlook on pb&j from there on out.

Picking me up from middle school and whisking me off to dance class, my dad drove up with a pb&j in hand. So far so good. Except that when I unwrapped my sandwich, there staring back at me was peanut butter and jelly on cinnamon raisin swirl bread. What was this madness? Was my dad crazy? Cinnamon raisin bread? What? Where was the white stuff? I occasionally had rye and wheat bread, but cinnamon raisin? Oy.

Fast forward 10-something years; now if I’m going to have a nut butter and jelly sandwich, it has to be on cinnamon raisin bread, no question. The saltiness of the nuts needs the sweet bite of a raisin and the delicious hint of cinnamon to pull it all together. Really, white bread? What was I thinking?

This recipe combines my love for the two: nut butter & cinnamon raisin bread. This homemade cinnamon raisin nut butter is not only delicious, but also is so good for you. Nuts are filled with protein, antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats, which reduce bad cholesterol and keep your heart healthy. Almonds are a great source of vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium. Walnuts provide one of the best plant sources of Omega 3 fatty acids, while cashews provide iron and zinc, and pecans are rich in vitamin B3 for a perfect boost of energy. Cinnamon is also ideal for blood sugar levels, as it slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating.

These simple ingredients take pb&j to the next level. I’m obsessed, I can’t get enough. I hope this shatters your world a little bit too.

Cinnamon Raisin Nut Butter

1 cup almonds
½ cup cashews
¼ cup walnuts
¼ cup pecans
½ tsp salt
1 T cinnamon
1 ½ T maple syrup
2 T coconut oil
½ cup raisins

In a food processor, or high-speed blender combine almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pecans. Blend 10-15 minutes, pushing down sides continuously, until oils begin to release and mixture becomes creamy. Add in salt, cinnamon, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Blend 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Finally, add in raisins and blend until they are thoroughly combined.

Place in a sealed jar. There is no need to store in the fridge if you gobble it up within 2 weeks. It stays a lot creamier at room temperature. Enjoy!